Rectifier.



A. WEHMEIER.

RECTIFER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-'16 |916.

Patented Nov. 27, 19N.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT WEHMEIER, 0F ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR '10 FORE ELECTRICAL MFG. C0., A CORPORATION MISSOURI.

RECTIFIER.

To all whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT Wnnisrninr., a citizen of the 'United States, residing at the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Rectiers, of which the following is a full, clear, and eXact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in a mechanical rectifying device for deriving from an alternating` current a direct form of current suitable for the charging of storage batteries and the like.

The general purpose of my invention is to provide a simple, compact and economical form of rectifying device which may be used in connection with the form of alternating current commonly supplied to consumers by commercial plants, and which may be conveniently, safely and successfully operated by individuals not necessarily conversant with the principles of electricity involved.

A more specific object of my invention is to improve intensively upon the vibratory form of rectifier for the purpose of rendering the operation of the device more positive, certain and uniform, and less subject to the influence of variations in the potential of the impressed current.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious or pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawing, I have shown diagrammatically an assembly of parts embodying my improvements.

In various forms of vibratory rectifiers known to the art, the vibrator, which operates as a switch, is operated by the impressed alternating current to open and close the contacts which it controls in such fashion that current impulses of the selected sign only, are allowed to pass to the outlet terminals. In these devices the vibrator or vibratory switch -is operated directly by magnetic influences vderived from the impressed current.

In my improved device, I operate the vibratory switch by a permanent magnet, the effectiveness of which upon the vibrator is governed by the impressed current, but the magnetic quality of which is not inliuenced bythe impressed current.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented N ov. 27, 1917.

Serial No. 115,170.

In this fashion, the operation of the vibrator switch is rendered independent of variations in the potential of the impressed current, with the result that a more uniform and certain operation is insured, and the necessity for adjustment of the vibrator switch is obviated. These, of course, are very desirable features in a device of this kind which is designed for use by comparatively inexperienced persons.

By reference to the accompanying drawing, let it be understood that l indicates the primary coil of the transformer, and 2 the secondary coil. The primary coil, of course, is equipped with suitable terminals whereby it may be connected in the supply circuit carrying an alternating current. By suitable proportioning of the primary and secondary coils, the potential of the derived current may be suitably predetermined in the conventional fashion.

The numeral 4 designates a permanent magnet of horseshoe type having the positive or north pole N, and the negative or south pole S. I connect or bridge the poles of the permanent magnet with the permanent armature 5 of suitable magneticl material, upon which is wound a neutralizing coil 6.` At 7 is flexibly mounted the vibratory switch member which includes the vibrating armature 8 arranged for magnetic coperation with the `permanent magnet, and the contact carrying spring 9,the said switch being spring-pressed in such fashion as to normally hold the movable contact 10 out of electrical connection with the stationary contact 11. Suitable connections with the outlet terminals 12 and 1st are made respectively from the stationary contact 11 and the secondary coil 2, the former connection leading through a suitable fuse 15 and indicating ammeter 16. Likewise, a suitable connection 17 completes the circuit from the secondary coil 2 to the vibratory switch member. Theneutralizing coil G is connected in shunt across the secondary coil circuit, a suitable non-inductive resistance 18 being included in the shunt circuit at the negative side of the coil. A suitable resistance 19 is also disposed in the connection to the negative terminal 14.

With the parts thus disposed, the permanent armature 5, forms a permanent vmagnetic bridge across the poles of the permanent magnet 4l, providing a normal path for the magnetic lines of force between the poles. Accordingly, so long as this path remainsl unimpeded, the lines of force of the permanent magnet will follow it, so that there will not be a sutlicient field about the vibrating armature 8 to render the magnet eifective to close the movable contact 10 upon stationary contact 11 against the tendency of the vibrator spring. lilith the parts in this position there can be, of course, no supply of current to the outlet terminals 12 and 14. however, whenever the magnetic path provided by the permanent armature 5 is impeded, so as to prevent the normal flux of the permanent magnet therein, the ield of the permanent magnet will be thrown out in the conventional torni` and will comprehend the vibrating armature 8 within sufficient of its lines of force to attract the movable switch with sul'licient power to overcome the tendency of the spring and close the movable contact 1() upon the stationary contact 11. lVith the parts in such position, of course, the circuit is closed for the llow of current from the secondary coil to the terminals 12 and 14.-. The neutralizing coil 6 is the immediate means which I provide for neutralizing the permanent armature 5 so as to destroy its etlicacy as a path `for the magnetic lines of force of the permanent magnet. Accordingly, this coil 6 is so wound on the permanent armature 5 as to induce therein, when energized by a current impulse of a predetermined sign, a magnetism which is counter in direction to the normal direction of the lines of force of the permanent magnet therein. Inasmuch as the sole purpose of the neutralizing coil 6 is to induce only enough counter magnetism in permanent armature 5 to overcome. the power of the permanent magnet therein, the neutralizing coil need be only a very small one, and it is desirable that it be as small as possible in order that it may have no other etect upon the permanent magnet or the vibratory switch member.

In the operation of the device, a suitable translating device, such as the storage battery B, being connected across the terminals 1Q and 14, the primary current of alternating` form is rendered elfective in primary coil 1 so that a secondary current of the desired potential is induced in the secondary coil Q. This secondary current will, of course, be of alternating form, so that there will be a continuous reversal of direction of the current in neutralizing coil 6. In the arrangement illustrated, when the current is of positive sign, the neutralizing coil will be effective to neutralize permanent armature 5, with the result that the north pole of the permanent magnet will be eii'ective upon the vibratory member to close the switch. As a result, a current impulse of positive sign will be impressed upon the battery. As soon as the current of positive sign drops to the point where coil 6 is no longer et fective to neutralize permanent armature 5, the field of the permanent magnet will be altered so that the vibrator-y member will be released to open the switch. Accordingly, when the Current assumes the reverse sign, the circuit to the battery will be opened and no impulse will be impressed upon the battery. It will be seen that, with the continuation of this operation, the battery will always receive current impulses oi" the saine sign, with the result that its potential will be gradually built up.

Numerous advantages accrue from this construction. In the first place, the force which operates the vibratory switch will always be constant, being represented bythe magnetic intensity of the field of the permanent magnet. Hence there will be no necessity for adjustments of the switch contacts to accommodate changes in potential in the impressed current, and the possibility of irregular operation of the vibratory member, and welding of the contacts, is greatly reduced. The intensity olf the permanent magnet is maintained by the presence of the permanent armature 5 which, of course, normally forms a path for the magnetic circuit. The operation of the vibratory switch is immediate because of the lact that a permanent magnetic force is used, and, instead of requiring the generation of the necessary magnetism each time the switch is closed, it is necessary simply to change the path of the permanent magnetic circuit, which is accomplished without appreciable loss, due to the smallness of the neutralizing coil. Hence a maximum amount of each current impulse of the selected sign is impressed upon the battery.

In the arrangement shown, only the current of positive sign will be impressed upon the translating device-` but it is obvious that by transposing the poles of the magnet, the device may be arranged to select only the current of negative sign, and that by the provision oi a second switch arranged 'for operation in alternation with the vibratory member shown, the alternating current may be separated into separate circuits of opposite but each of constant sign for supply to separate translating devices.

I am also aware that the structure is susceptible oi' other modifications and changes in detail, without departing from the scope of the invention involved.

What I claim is:

1. A device for the rectification of electric currents including a permanent magnet, a permanent armature forming a metallic connection between the poles ol the magnet, a switch device including a vibratory circuit making and breaking member arranged 'for magnetic cooperation with the said magnet, a source of alternating current supply, and means associated with the permanent armature and with said source of supply for diverting the magnetic circuit of the permanent magnet in accordance with the direction of the impressed current.

2. In a current rectit'ying device, a source of alternating current supply, a circuit therefor, a vibratory switch device arranged to open and close said circuit, a permanent magnet disposed for magnetic cope 1ation with said vibratory switch device, a permanent armature electrically connecting the poles of said magnet, and means associated with said permanent armature for varying the path of the magnetic ield of the permanent magnet relative to the vibrator-y switch device in accordance with variations in direction of the supplied current.

3. In a device for rectifying electric curents, a circuit arranged for connection to a translating` device, a vibratory member for opening and closing the circuit, a permanent' magnet arranged to operate the vibratory member, a connectingl device disposed to provide a path for the magnetic circuit between the poles of the magnet, a source for supplying alternating current to the circuit, and means energized from said source for neutralizing the eectiveness of the connecting device as a path for the magnetic circuit of the magnet.

Ll. A device for rectifying electric currents, a circuit arranged for connection to the translating device, a switch for opening and closing the circuit, a permanent magnet arranged to operate the switch to close the circuit, means normally neutralizing the eililectiveness of the magnet with respect to the switch, and means etl'ectively associated with the circuit for rendering said neutralizing means inelliective and thereby rendering the magnet etilective upon the switch.

5. In a device lior rectitying electric currents, a circuit arranged for electrical asso ciation with a translating device and a source ol supply, a switch for opening and closing said circuit, a permanent magnet arranged for effective cooperation with the switch, there being a metallic connection between the poles of the magnet to complete a metallic path for the magnetic circuit, and a coil arranged to be energized from the same source with the circuit and inductively associated with said metallic connection.

In testimony whereof l hereunto aliix my signature in the presence of a witness, this lilth day of August, 1916.

ALBERT VVEHMEIER. ltness:

M. P. SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

